The flight of doctors from Israel: sharp increase in the number leaving abroad - "They still earn peanuts"
At the Israel Medical Association conference, data revealed a sharp increase in the emigration of doctors from Israel. The average number of doctors leaving Clalit rose from 9 per year before 2019 to 33 since 2023. In 2024, 50 doctors left hospitals and 53 extended their stay abroad. Reasons: security, political, and economic conditions. Dr. Lavon: "They are the cream of the crop."
At the Israel Medical Association conference held today (Monday) at the Kfar HaMaccabiah, data was presented indicating a sharp increase in the number of doctors leaving Israel. Data from Clalit shows that the number of doctors leaving abroad rose from an average of nine per year in the period up to 2019 to an average of 33 per year since 2023 – more than three and a half times. In community medicine, there was a sixfold increase, and in Clalit's hospitals, the average rose from six to 15 doctors per year. The leading specialties among those leaving are ophthalmology and pediatrics. In a survey conducted in hospitals in 2024, 50 doctors left, and an additional 53 doctors extended their stay abroad. Among the reasons for leaving: the security and political situation along with economic considerations. Dr. Eitan Lavon, director of the Sharon Hospital, said that those leaving are "the cream of the crop" of the healthcare system. Prof. Ido Wolf revealed that in the field of oncology alone, between five and ten doctors emigrated and have not yet returned. Dr. Leah Kahanov noted that interns "still earn peanuts" and the workload is increasing.